College Basketball Line Ups for the Season

Will Yonsei University emerge as the triumphant winner at the end of the varsity basketball championships?

Yesterday, Yonsei came one step closer to their goal. The team succeeded in defending its MBC Varsity Basketball Championship title once again. In the final held at the Chamsil Stadium, Yonsei beat Hanyang University 94-92. Last year, Yonsei swept six championships including this one, with the only defeat so far against a pro team in January.

Yonsei had a hard time against Hanyang though. The all-star team led in the first and second quarters paced by Bong Sung-yoo, Lee Jung-suk and Lee Chung-hyup. At the end of the second quarter, the score was 45-34 for Yonsei. But Hanynag began to fight back from the third quarter and finally turned the game over 74-73.

Yonsei guard Lee Jung-suk contributed to much of the victory. At 90-90, he successfully made two free throws just 1 minute and 43 seconds before the buzzer. Then, he dashed in and made two more points, marked as the game-winning scores. The MVP title, however, went to Lee Jung-hyup, who helped Yonsei get over difficult moments with perfect three-pointers. Yang Dong-geun of Hanyang led the championship with the highest number of points and assists, and the best defense.

Will Yonsei be able to snatch all titles this year as well?

Experts cautioned against an affirmative answer to the question. They pointed out, at the beginning, that the graduation of two former Yonsei centers, Kim Dong-woo and Park Kwong-jae, weakened Yonsei considerably. Nonetheless, the team continued to win games, made possible by its strong backup line. Junior Kim Jong-wan (2m tall) successfully made up for the loss of the two centers, and freshmen Kim Tae-sool (point guard) and Yang Ahee-jong (forward) dominated the court.

"Yonsei has a good pool of players. All are comparable with each other,” MBC sports commentator Jong Il said. “This season, the team will most likely dominate the court."

They will have a harder time than last year though.

Challenging Yonsei this year are strong teams from Hanyang and Kyunghee University. Hanyang boasts most of all organized play. Kyunghee`s success, on the other hand, depends on the performance of its star player Jung Jae-ho.

Korea University is also a threat, being able to "ambush" and play against any team. "If Korea`s Kim Dong-wook regains strength from his knee injury, Korea will pose a greater threat," Jong predicted. That is why Yonsei coach Kim Nam-gee fears Korea University the most.

In other action, Sungshin Women`s University won a 61-59 victory over Suwon University in the women’s final.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com